Food container systems

ABSTRACT

A food container system may include a food container and a removable insert. The food container may include a container body defining a container cavity and a container lid adapted to couple with the container body. The removable insert may be configured to receive a food item and may include an insert body defining an insert cavity and an insert cap adapted to couple with the insert body. The removable insert may be sized and shaped to be received within the container cavity such that the container lid may be coupled to the container body when the removable insert is positioned within the container cavity. The food container may be configured to maintain a temperature of a food item positioned therein. The removable insert may comprise materials that may be microwaved or otherwise reheated such that the food item may be reheated within the removable insert.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/774,698, filed Dec. 3, 2018, entitled “FOOD CONTAINER SYSTEMS,” theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to food container systems, and morespecifically but not exclusively, to food containers systems for storingfood for transport and later consumption.

BACKGROUND

Food containers provide storage for food products allowing for storageand/or transport of the food products. Conventional food containersmerely provide storage such that the contents of the food containers aresubject to fluctuation in temperature pursuant to the ambientconditions. In some aspects it is desirable to maintain a desiredtemperature of a food product during transport and storage prior toeating. Additionally, the food container system can be used as acontainer from which the food product can be directly consumed. Somefood containers have been developed to maintain consistent temperaturesto the food products contained therein. However, these food containersare generally formed of metallic materials. As such, the food containersare not safe for heating in a microwave. In such cases, the foodproducts cannot be easily reheated when they cool off. In some aspects,it is desirable to maintain a desired temperature of a food product whenthe food container is assembled. Moreover, it may be desirable toprovide a means for easily reheating a food product.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “thepresent invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly toall of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of thepatent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patentare defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introducessome of the concepts that are further described in the DetailedDescription section below. This summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The subject matter should be understood by reference toappropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any orall drawings and each claim.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to food containers andfood container systems. A food container may include a container bodythat may be formed of an insulating material and a container lidcoupleable to the container body. The food container may further includea removable insert having an insert body and associated insert cap thatcan be positioned within the container body and retained therein whenthe container lid is coupled to the container body. Food may be storedwithin a cavity defined by the insert body. In some embodiments, thecontainer body and container lid may provide for insulation of the foodcontained within the insert body during transportation and storage. Insome embodiments a first food container may be stored within a secondfood container when the first food container has been emptied of itscontents, for example to reduce the amount of space the containers takeup when transporting empty containers home after they have been used forstoring a snack or meal.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the food containers are ofa size that makes them easily transportable so they can be carried toschool, work, etc. The food containers may be sized and shaped so thatthey nest within each other for ease of storage. However, the foodcontainers may be provided in any size or shape and are not limited tothe illustrated sizes and shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of variousembodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a food container system including a foodcontainer and a removable insert, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container body and the container lidof the food container of FIG. 1 in a decoupled state, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the removable insert of the foodcontainer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the removable insert of the foodcontainer of FIG. 1 positioned within the interior of the container bodyof the food container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the removable insert of the foodcontainer of FIG. 1 partially removed from the interior of the containerbody of the food container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the food container of FIG. 1 withthe removable insert positioned within the container body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another food container system includinga food container and an additional food container, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is perspective view of the food container of FIG. 6 with thehandle in the stowed position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the additional food container of FIG. 6nested within the food container of FIG. 6, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an underside of a container lid of thecontainer body of FIG. 6, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the container lid of FIG. 9 takenalong line 10-10, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another food container, accordingto embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedhere with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but thisdescription is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, mayinclude different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction withother existing or future technologies. This description should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among orbetween various steps or elements except when the order of individualsteps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a food container system 10 that mayinclude a food container 100 and a removable insert 200. The foodcontainer 100 may include a container body 104 defining a containercavity 106 and a container lid 102 that engages with the container body104 so as to enclose the container cavity 106. The container lid 102 mayengage with the container body 104 via any suitable mating features, forexample, but not limited to, a threaded engagement. The removable insert200 may include an insert body 204 defining an insert cavity 207 andinsert cap 202 that may be coupled to the insert body 204 so as toenclose the insert cavity 207. The removable insert 200 may fit entirelywithin the container body 104 such that the container lid 102 may becoupled to the container body 104 while the removable insert 200 ispositioned therein.

In one, non-limiting embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an outer wallof the container body 104 has at least one container body thread 114 andan inner wall of the container lid 102 has at least one container lidthread 112. When the container lid 102 engages with the container body104, the at least one container body thread 114 interdigitates with theat least one container lid thread 112 to retain the container lid 102 onthe container body 104. However, other retention methods may be used,including, but not limited to, snap-fit connection, twist-lockconnection, or any other suitable connection.

In some embodiments, it is desirable for the container body 104 and thecontainer lid 102 to be formed of an insulating material that is capableof retaining the temperature of the contents for extended periods oftime. For example, in some embodiments, the container body 104, thecontainer lid 102, or some combination thereof are formed of a multiplewalls, including, but not limited to, ThermaS′Well™ technology includinga copper layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the container body 104includes a first wall member 105 and a second wall member 107 positionedadjacent the first wall member 105. A region 109 between the first wallmember 105 and the second wall member 107 may be a vacuum for providinginsulative properties. In some embodiments, a copper layer may beprovided on at least one of an exterior surface of the first wall member105 or an interior surface of the second wall member 107. However, inother embodiments the container lid 102, container body 104, or somecombination thereof may be formed of another suitable insulatingmaterial. Moreover, the container lid 102, container body 104, or anycombination thereof, may be formed of materials that prevent the foodcontainer 100 from breaking upon impact. For example, the container body104 and the container lid 102 may be built to protect the removableinsert 200 from breaking when the food container 100 is dropped orotherwise subject to an impact. The container body 104 and/or containerlid 102 may be formed of, but is not limited to, metallic materials(e.g. stainless steel), polymeric materials (e.g., polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, Nylon,polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.), or other suitable materials. In someembodiments, the food container 100 may be formed of glass, ceramic, orother suitable materials. While the container body 104 and the containerlid 102 may be formed of the same material, they need not be. By wayonly of example, the container body may 104 may be formed of stainlesssteel and the container lid 102 may be formed of a polymeric material.Moreover, it is contemplated that the container body 104 and thecontainer lid 102 may be formed of more than one material. By way onlyof example, it is conceivable that an additional material (e.g.,plastic, rubber, etc.) may be provided to cover the exterior of at leasta portion of the food container that is formed of a first material(e.g., stainless steel). In some embodiments, the food container 100 maybe formed such that it is opaque or clear. Moreover, decorative designsor other aesthetics may be provided on the exterior of the containerbody 104, the container lid 102, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, food products may be deposited directly into thecontainer cavity 106 of the food container 100. In other embodiments,the removable insert 200 may receive a food product within the insertcavity 207 of the insert body 204, the food product may be retainedwithin the insert body 204 by an insert cap 202, as shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 4A, the removable insert 200, for example the removableinsert 200 with food therein, may be positioned within the containerbody 104 of the food container 100. In some embodiments, as illustratedin the cross-sectional side view depicted in FIG. 5, the removableinsert 200 may be fully contained within the food container 100 suchthat no part of the removable insert 200 extends beyond the foodcontainer 100 when the food container system 10 is fully assembled.While the shape of the removable insert 200 may be complementary to thatof the food container 100 in which it is to be positioned (shown in FIG.5), this is not a requirement.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container lid 102 of the food container 100 mayinclude an inner surface 116 that bears against an outer surface of theinsert cap 202 (not shown in FIG. 2) when the food container system 10is assembled with the removable insert 200 positioned within the foodcontainer 100. For example, the inner surface 116 of the container lid102 may bear against an outer portion of the insert cap that may definea ledge 208 of the insert cap 202 (shown in FIG. 3) when the containerlid 102 engages the container body 104. In some embodiments, the innersurface 116 of the container lid 102 may include a depression 118. Asshown in FIG. 5, the depression 118 may be shaped to receive aprojection 210 of the insert cap 202 when the container lid 102 engagesthe container body 104. Regardless of the particular method, thepressure applied by the container lid 102 against the insert cap 202 mayaid in retaining the insert cap 202 in place such that it does notdisengage from the insert body 204 during transport of the assembledfood container system 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1,3, 4A, and 4B, the removable insert 200 mayinclude the insert body 204 and the insert cap 202. However, in someembodiments, only an insert body 204 may be provided. The insert cap 202may be provided to cover the insert body 204 to contain a food productwithin the insert body 204. The insert cap 202 may engage with, and seatwithin, an opening of the insert body 204. In some embodiments, theinsert cap 202 may be press fit onto the insert body 204. However, otherengagement methods could be used, including, but not limited to, athreaded connection, a snap-fit connection, a twist-lock connection, orany other suitable engagement method. In some embodiments, theconnection between the insert cap 202 and the insert body 204 may bestrong enough such that the removable insert 200 can be lifted from thecontainer body 104 by the insert cap 202 without the insert cap 202disengaging from the insert body 204, as shown in FIG. 4B.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the insert cap 202 may include an innerportion 206 that is dimensioned to fit within the insert body 204 andthereby seal the contents within the insert body 204. The insert cap 202may include a seal or a gasket 203 to aid in sealing the insert cap 202to the insert body 204. The gasket 203 may include a tab extending froma body of the gasket to provide a gripping surface for the user. Forexample, a user may grip the tab to uncouple the gasket 203 from theinsert cap 202 such that a user can easily clean the gasket 203. In someembodiments, the insert cap 202 may include the outer portion that maydefine the ledge 208 that extends from the inner portion 206 and restsatop an upper rim 205 of the insert body 204, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.The abutment between the ledge 208 of the insert cap 202 and the upperrim 205 of the insert body 204 may aid in limiting the extent to whichthe insert cap 202 can be inserted into the insert body 204, forexample, to prevent the insert cap 202 from becoming lodged or stuckwithin the insert body 204.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, a portion of the insertcap 202 may extend above another portion of the upper surface of theinsert cap 202 to form a projection 210. The projection 210 may providea gripping surface to aid a user in removing the removable insert 200from the container body 104 (shown in FIG. 4B). As discussed above, auser can remove the removable insert 200 from the container body 104 bygripping the projection 210 and lifting the removable insert 200 fromthe container body 104. The projection 210 can be various shapes,including, but not limited to, circular, rectangular, square,triangular, or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, theprojection 210 may also be used as a grip for removing the insert cap202 from the insert body 204 when the removable insert 200 has beenremoved from the food container 100.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the insert cap 202 may include one ormore features to assist in the removal of the insert cap 202 from theinsert body 204. In some embodiments, a cut-out 216 is provided alongthe circumference of the insert cap 202, the cut-out 216 may define atab 212. The tab 212 may aid in a user removing the insert cap 202 fromthe insert body 204 by providing a location from which a user can pull.However, other types of features to assist with the removal of theinsert cap 202 are contemplated herein. For example, in someembodiments, a tab, projection, or other feature may be provided forgripping and pulling the insert cap 202 from the insert body 204. Inother examples, the insert cap 202 may include an outer perimeter thatmay extend beyond an upper edge of the insert body 204 thereby providinga surface from which a user can grip to remove the insert cap 202 fromthe insert body 204.

The insert body 204 and the insert cap 202 may be formed of the samematerials described above for use in the container lid 102 and thecontainer body 104. In some embodiments, the insert body 204 and insertcap 202 may be formed of different materials than those used for thecontainer lid 102 and the container body 104. For example, the insertbody 204, the insert cap 202, or any combination thereof, may be formedfrom a material that is microwave safe such that a user can remove theremovable insert 200 from the container body 104 and warm the removableinsert 200 (or simply the insert body 204) along with its contents in amicrowave. In some embodiments, the insert body 204 and/or the insertcap 202 is formed of a material that is dishwasher safe. In someembodiments, the insert body 204 and/or the insert cap 202 is formed ofa polymeric material that is chemically safe, including a polymericmaterial that is free of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and/orother bisphenols, for example but not limited to Tritan™ plastic. Inthis disclosure, being “free of” BPA and/or BPS includes having lessthan 0.1 parts per million (ppm) of the material. In some embodiments,the insert body 204 and/or the insert cap 202 may be formed of glass,including tempered glass which may reduce the potential of breaking. Inother embodiments, the insert body 204 and/or insert cap 202 maycomprise other suitable materials including but not limited to polymericmaterials, ceramic materials, etc. The insert body 204 and/or the insertcap 202 may be free of any estrogenic and androgenic activity and may beshatter resistant. The insert body 204 and/or insert cap 202 may beopaque or clear. In some embodiments, the insert body 204 is clear suchthat a user can see a food product positioned therein and optionallygauge the progress of heating the insert contents in a microwave. Asdescribed above, in some embodiments, the container body 104, containerlid 102, or some combination thereof, may be formed of an insulatingmaterial such that it provides insulation and temperature regulation forthe removable insert 200 and the food products contained therein. Forexample, the insulating properties of the container lid 102 and/or thecontainer body 104 may keep the food product contained within theremovable insert 200 at a cool temperature (i.e., prevents the foodproduct from getting warm due to ambient temperatures). Alternatively,the food product in the removable insert 200 may be heated prior tobeing inserted within the container body 104 and the food product can bekept hot due to the insulating properties of the container body 104and/or the container lid 102.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a food container system 301according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Thefood container system 301 may include a food container 300 and anadditional food container 400. The food container 300 may be sized andshaped to receive the additional food container 400 nested therein. Thefood container 300 may include a handle 306 on a container lid 302. Thehandle 306 is pivotally connected to the container lid 302. The handle306 is configured to have a stowed position, as illustrated in FIG. 7.In the stowed position, the handle 306 rests in a channel 308 formed ina top surface of the container lid 302. When the handle 306 is in thestowed position the handle 306 may not extend above the top surface ofthe container lid 302 such that the food container 300 can be stacked onother items, including but not limited other food containers (e.g. foodcontainers 300 and/or 400). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the handle 306 maybe pivoted upwardly with respect to the upper surface of the containerlid 302 to a deployed position. In the deployed position, the handle 306may be gripped by the user for carrying or transporting the foodcontainer 300. A user may also apply torque to the handle 306 in thedeployed position to help disengage the container lid 302 from acontainer body 304 in aspects in which the container lid 302 is coupledto the container body 304 via threaded engagement. The food container300 may include at least one container body thread 314 (see FIG. 8)disposed on an outer wall of the container body 304 and at least onecontainer lid thread 312 (see FIG. 9) disposed on an inner surface ofthe container lid 302. The at least one container body thread 314 mayinterdigitate with the at least one container lid thread 312 to retainthe container lid 302 on the container body 304 in a similar manner asdescribed with respect to the food container 100. Moreover, as discussedabove with respect to the food container 100, the container lid 302 mayengage the container body 304 by any other suitable methods, including,but not limited to, snap-fit connection, twist-lock connection, or anyother suitable connection.

As shown in FIG. 6, the additional food container 400 may include acontainer lid 402 and a container body 404. Moreover, in someembodiments, the container lid 402 may include a handle (not shown) toprovide a user with a convenient means of carrying the additional foodcontainer 400.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the additional food container 400 may besized and shaped to nest within the container body 304 of the foodcontainer 300. The nested configuration provides a convenient means ofstoring and transporting the food container 300 and the additional foodcontainer 400. For example, a user can store the additional foodcontainer 400 within the container body 304 after use (i.e., after thefood product or contents have been consumed and/or removed) andtransport or store the food container 300 and the additional foodcontainer 400 together thereby reducing the overall space required tostore and/or transport the food containers 300, 400.

The additional food container 400 may be formed in a similar manner asthe food container 300. As discussed with respect to the food container100, the food container 300 and/or the additional food container 400 maybe formed of any of the materials identified with respect to the foodcontainer 100, for example, but not limited to, metallic materials (e.g.stainless steel), polymeric materials (e.g., polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, Nylon,polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.), or other suitable materials. In someembodiments the food container 300 and/or additional food container 400,may be formed of glass, ceramic, or other materials. Furthermore, insome embodiments, the food container 300 and/or the additional foodcontainer 400 may be formed of an insulating material that is capable ofretaining the temperature of the contents of extended periods of time,as described above with respect to the food container 100. For example,the food container 300 and/or the additional food container 400 mayinclude a first wall member and second wall member similar to the firstwall member 105 and second wall member 107 as described above withrespect to the food container 100. Moreover, as described above withrespect to the food container 100, the food container 300 and/or theadditional food container 400 may include a region between the first andsecond wall members that may be a vacuum providing insulativeproperties. Additionally, as described above with respect to the foodcontainer 100, the food container 300 and/or the additional foodcontainer 400 may include a copper layer provided on at least one of anexterior surface of the first wall member or an interior surface of thesecond wall member. In some embodiments, the additional food container400 may be configured to be similar to the previously describedremovable insert 200. For example, the additional food container 400 maybe formed of a microwaveable material such that a food product can beheated directly in the additional food container 400 and stored withinthe food container 300 in a similar manner to the removable insert 200described above. In some embodiments, an insert, such as removableinsert 200, may be positioned within the food container 300 and/or theadditional food container 400.

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of the container lid 302. As shown in FIG. 9,the container lid 302 may optionally include a gasket 328 and a releasevalve 322. The gasket 328 may engage with the container body 304 to helpseal the container lid 302 to the container body 304. While the gasket328 has been described with reference to the container lid 302, thegasket 328 may be used in conjunction with any of the container lidsdescribed above (e.g., container lid 102, insert cap 202, and/oradditional container lid 402).

Due to the heating and cooling of the contents of the food container300, pressure may develop in the food container 300 during use. Thispressure may be positive or negative, relative to atmospheric pressure,depending on the food contents, temperature, and use scenario. Anegative pressure, in particular, may form a vacuum within the foodcontainer 300. For example, when a heated food product is positionedwithin the container body 304 and the food product begins to cool, thechange in temperature causes a change in pressure resulting in anegative pressure formed within the food container 300 with respect tosurrounding the atmospheric pressure. The negative pressure results in avacuum thereby creating a seal between the container lid 302 and thecontainer body 304 such that it makes it difficult for a user todecouple the container lid 302 from the container body 304. The releasevalve 322 may act as either a pressure release, a vacuum release, orboth. By way only of example, the release valve 322 may be a vacuumrelease valve that helps dissipate negative pressure that can build upin the food container 300 when the contents cool, thus rendering theremoval of the container lid 302 from the container body 304 moredifficult.

For example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the container lid302 in FIG. 10, the container lid 302 may include the release valve 322and an air channel 324 that is in fluid communication with a space 326formed between the container lid threads 312 of the container lid 302.When the negative pressure builds up in the container body 304, therelease valve 322 deforms allowing airflow into the air channel 324 andinto the space 326 thereby allowing a user to more easily decouple thecontainer lid 302 from the container body 304. According to certainembodiments, the release valve 322 may be an umbrella valve. However,other types of pressure or vacuum release valves may be used inembodiments of the food containers disclosed herein. While the releasevalve 322 has been described above with reference to the container lid302, the release valve 322 may be used in conjunction with any of thecontainer lids described above (e.g., container lid 102, insert cap 202,and/or container lid 402).

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of a food container system 501having a food container 500 and removable insert 600, according to analternative embodiment of the present invention. The food container 500may include the same or different features as the food containers 100,300, 400, described above. The food container 500 may include acontainer body 504 and a container lid 502 configured to be coupled tothe container body 504 in a similar manner as previously described withrespect to food container 100. The container lid 502 may include arelease valve 522 that may be the same as the release valve 322described above. Moreover, the container body 504 and the container lid502 may be formed of any of the materials identified with respect to thefood container 100, for example, but not limited to, metallic materials(e.g. stainless steel), polymeric materials (e.g., polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, Nylon,polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.), or other suitable materials.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the food container 500 may be formedof an insulating material that is capable of retaining the temperatureof the contents of extended periods of time, as described above withrespect to the food container 100. For example, the food container 500may include a first wall member and second wall member similar to thefirst wall member 105 and second wall member 107 as described above withrespect to the food container 100. Moreover, as described above withrespect to the food container 100, the food container 500 may include aregion between the first and second wall members that may be a vacuumproviding insulative properties. Additionally, as described above withrespect to the food container 100, the food container 500 may include acopper layer provided on at least one of an exterior surface of thefirst wall member or an interior surface of the second wall member.

The removable insert 600 may have the same features as the removableinsert 200, described above. In some embodiments, the removable insert600 includes an insert cap 602 configured to be coupled to an insertbody 604. The insert cap 602 may include a seal or a gasket 603 to aidin sealing the insert cap 602 to the insert body 604. The insert cap 602may further include an outer portion that may define a ledge 608 thatextends from an inner portion 606 of the insert cap 602 and rests atopan upper rim 605 of the insert body 604. The abutment between the ledge608 of the insert cap 602 and the upper rim 605 of the insert body 604may aid in limiting the extent to which the insert cap 602 can beinserted into the insert body 604, for example, to prevent the insertcap 602 from becoming lodged or stuck within the insert body 604. Theledge 608 may provide a gripping portion for a user to remove the insertcap 602 from insert body 604. The removable insert 600 may be formed ofany of the materials previously discussed with respect to the removableinsert 200, including but not limited a polymeric material that is freeof bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and/or other bisphenols, forexample but not limited to Tritan™ plastic, a ceramic material (e.g., aglass material, a tempered glass material, etc.).

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings ordescribed above, as well as components and steps not shown or describedare possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are usefuland may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. Examples of the invention have been described forillustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative examples willbecome apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not limited to the examples described above or depicted inthe drawings, and various examples and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims below.

1. A food container system comprising: a food container comprising acontainer body defining a container cavity and a container lid adaptedto couple with the container body to enclose the container cavity; and aremovable insert configured to receive a food item and comprising aninsert body defining an insert cavity and an insert cap adapted tocouple with the insert body to enclose the insert cavity, wherein theremovable insert is sized and shaped to be received within the containercavity such that the container lid may be coupled to the container bodywhen the removable insert is positioned within the container cavity. 2.The food container of claim 1, wherein the food container comprises awall including: (a) an inner wall member and (b) an outer wall member,and (c) a vacuum space located between the inner wall member and theouter wall member.
 3. The food container of claim 1, wherein an uppersurface of the insert cap comprises a projection that extends above anadjacent portion of the insert cap.
 4. The food container of claim 1,wherein the container lid further comprises a valve for dissipatingnegative pressure formed within the food container.
 5. The foodcontainer of claim 1, wherein the insert body comprises a polymericmaterial or glass.
 6. The food container of claim 1, wherein a perimeterportion of the insert cap extends over an upper edge of the insert body.7. The food container of claim 1, wherein the removable insert furthercomprises a gasket interposed between the insert cap and the insert bodywhen the insert cap is coupled to the insert body.
 8. The food containerof claim 3, wherein an inner surface of the container lid includes adepression adapted to receive the projection of the insert cap when thecontainer lid is coupled to the container body with the removable insertpositioned within the container cavity.
 9. A food container systemcomprising: a food container including (a) a container body formed of ametallic material, the container body defining a container cavity, and(b) a container lid adapted to couple to the container body; and aremovable insert defining a cavity and comprising a non-metallicmaterial; wherein the removable insert is configured to seat within thecontainer cavity such that the container lid may couple to the containerbody when the removable insert is seated within the container cavity;and wherein the container lid contacts the removable insert when theremovable insert is seated within the container body.
 10. The foodcontainer system of claim 9, wherein the container body comprises a wallfurther comprising a first wall member and a second wall member, whereinthe first and second wall members are separated by a vacuum.
 11. Thefood container system of claim 9, wherein the removable insert comprisesa body portion and a lid, and wherein the body portion comprises apolymeric material.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The food container system ofclaim 9, wherein the container lid further comprises a release valve fordissipating negative pressure formed within the food container.
 14. Thefood container of claim 9, wherein the removable insert comprises: aninsert body; and an insert cap adapted to couple to the insert body,wherein an upper surface of the insert cap comprises a projection thatextends above an adjacent portion of the insert cap.
 15. The foodcontainer system of claim 14, wherein the insert body comprises atransparent material.
 16. The food container system of claim 1, whereinthe container body comprises an inner wall having an inner wall shapeand wherein the insert body comprises an outer wall having an outer wallshape, wherein the inner wall shape and the outer wall shape arecomplementary.
 17. The food container system of claim 1, wherein theinsert cap is press-fit onto the insert body.
 18. The food containersystem of claim 6, wherein the perimeter portion of the insert capextends beyond the upper edge of the insert body.
 19. The food containersystem of claim 1, wherein the insert body is opaque or clear.
 20. Afood container system comprising: a food container comprising acontainer body defining a container cavity and a container lid adaptedto couple with the container body to enclose the container cavity; and aremovable insert configured to receive a food item and comprising aninsert body defining an insert cavity and an insert cap adapted tocouple with the insert body to enclose the insert cavity, wherein: aninner surface of the container lid comprises a depression; the insertbody comprises a polymeric or glass material; an outer surface of theinsert cap comprises a projection adapted to seat within the depression;and the removable insert is sized and shaped to be received within thecontainer cavity such that the container lid may be coupled to thecontainer body when the removable insert is positioned within thecontainer cavity.